McCormick Construction’s president and CEO, Michael McCormick, shared insights into the changing nature of today’s workplaces with Connect Media’s Daniella Soloway. Technology rapidly innovates and continues to shape the world around us, while construction costs rise. Michael answered the industry’s biggest questions regarding development of successful office space.

Q. What are the latest trends driving workplace design and construction?

A. Across the board, creative office space is a major trend, and the biggest driver is technology. Whether it is ground-up construction or adaptive reuse, the end result is the same – the latest buildings are automatically designed to meet the newest technology demands. The amount of power and data that companies require has changed and workplaces now need to accommodate more advanced technology systems like power lines, sophisticated fiber optics and conventionalized speed data lines. In addition, another major trend is building sustainability, especially within the Los Angeles market. Today, prospective tenants desire buildings which are much more environmentally friendly and energy efficient than they were five or ten years ago.

Q. How does adaptive reuse differ from ground-up construction as it relates to creative office?

A. At the end of the day, adaptive reuse projects still have the same requirements as ground-up construction. Adapting an existing building to meet the needs of the end user doesn’t change the way we build offices, it changes the design of the interior. Many older buildings need to be upgraded to accommodate and support new systems; with that comes a new set of challenges. The infrastructure itself may not be up to code; seismic retrofits may need to take place; and the historical significance of a building must be taken into consideration. Additional concerns might include access to transit, traffic and project parking.

One such project that had many of these challenges was the redevelopment of Element LA…

Project provides greater efficiency and a more collaborative work space for the growing brand

BURBANK, Calif. – McCormick Construction, a premier builder shaping the culture of buildings and businesses throughout the Western United States since 1914, has completed construction on a 14,000-square-foot interior renovation project for beverage manufacturer, Neurobrands llc’s, corporate office located at 2550 N. Hollywood Way in Burbank, California. Neurobrands originally occupied two disconnected office suites in the North Hollywood Way office building, which is in close proximity to the Hollywood Burbank Airport.

Due to Neurobrands’ recent success, the company needed a larger space where employees could advance and develop current and new products, including the company’s popular Neuro line of drinks. In an effort to create a more dynamic and collaborative work environment, McCormick Construction worked with designer, DSR Design Inc., to incorporate more company branding and desirable office features like natural lighting, more efficient work spaces, collaborative areas and additional amenities.

In order to accelerate the construction schedule and deliver the office space within 12weeks McCormick Construction completed the project in two phases, while only occupying up to 35 percent of the space at one time.

“Corporate interior improvement projects present a variety of challenges; however, ensuring businesses maintain normal operations is our primary consideration,” said Michael McCormick, president and CEO of McCormick Construction. “As a result, early collaboration, strategic planning and up-to-date knowledge of the permitting process are key factors in delivering a successful tenant improvement project.”

During phase one, employees were all moved from the approximately 12,000-square-foot main office suite to the second office suite, known as “the executive wing.” The work completed in phase one comprised the addition of two conference rooms, featuring glass walls and large glass sliding doors, 15 new executive offices, 50 open workspaces and a new kitchen/breakroom. McCormick Construction also constructed a new product development laboratory with a 3Form glass table where Neurobrands’ “drink scientists” will work to create new products.

Phase two included moving employees from the executive wing into the newly renovated space while the executive wing underwent renovations. After four weeks of renovations in the executive wing, both spaces had been completely renovated and employees were allowed to return to their respective locations. To ensure Neurobrands remained fully operational throughout the entirety of the construction process, McCormick Construction worked nights and weekends in order to complete the project on-time and on-budget.

A major focus of the project was to create a more collaborative environment within the office that would foster creativity and product innovations. Larger meeting spaces and open-concept common areas were created to allow employees to meet and discuss new concepts and strategies, helping to facilitate a strong team-focused corporate culture.

“McCormick Construction’s decades of experience in tenant improvement projects made them the easy choice for us to partner with for our corporate office renovation,” said Calvin Larson, corporate communications and technology director of Neurobrands llc. “We’re thrilled to have this new space for our employees, so that they can continue to develop groundbreaking products that promote health and well-being.”

In order to provide a more sustainable and healthy work environment, McCormick Construction installed energy efficient lighting systems that comply with Title 24 regulations and incorporated more natural light throughout the office via daylight harvesting – a technique that reduces the amount of overhead lighting needed by more efficiently using (or adding) ambient light sources such as windows and skylights, as well as integrating automatic dimmers when natural lighting is sufficient.

McCormick Construction’s project management team also included Alan Hartley, director of interiors; and David Valenti, superintendent.

Neuro is a groundbreaking line of functional beverages made with natural ingredients in fully recyclable packaging. Neuro was formulated by nutrition scientists and is backed by scientific research to promote health and well-being. Each low-calorie beverage in the collection contains essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and proprietary dietary ingredients. For more information, please visit http://www.drinkneuro.com/.